OBS Studio is a popular software for recording and streaming games. However, sometimes OBS Studio doesn’t start when users try to launch that software on Windows 10 or 11c PCs. You may or may not see an error message when OBS Studio doesn’t launch, but it doesn’t open either way.
Users can’t utilize OBS Studio for recording when it doesn’t launch. Some users will probably consider trying out alternative game streaming software when OBS Studio doesn’t work. However, you can fix OBS Studio not launching on a Windows PC with the potential resolutions below.
1. Run OBS Studio in Compatibility Mode
OBS Studio can sometimes fail to launch because of compatibility issues. Selecting to run OBS Studio in a special compatibility mode, which applies settings from an older Windows OS, is a possible resolution a few users have confirmed to work. So, try running OBS Studio in compatibility mode like this:
The Windows Program Compatibility Troubleshooter could also be useful for fixing OBS Studio not launching. That troubleshooter applies recommended compatibility settings to OBS and includes aTest the programoption for them. You can read all about that tool within this article aboututilizing the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.
2. Set OBS Studio to Run as Administrator
Setting OSB Studio to run as administrator will ensure it can access all the folders and files it needs, which can sometimes address issues. To set OBS Studio to run with elevated privileges, open theCompatibilitytab as covered for the preceding resolution. SelectRun this program as an administratoron theCompatibilitytab and clickOK.
3. Set a Power Saving GPU Option for OBS Studio
Selecting a power-saving graphics performance for OBS Studio is a troubleshooting method that’s worked for some users. If your PC has two GPUs, this will mean setting the integrated graphics processor for OBS Studio. Follow the instructions in thisguide to choosing a preferred GPU for appsto select thePower-savinggraphics preference option for OBS Studio.
4. Roll Back a Recent Graphics Driver Update
Some users have been able to fix OBS Studio not launching by rolling back recent graphics card driver updates. New graphics drivers can sometimes have bugs that cause issues. Our guide
onhow to roll back a driver on Windowsprovides further details for applying this potential resolution.
5. Update the Driver for Your PC’s Graphics Adapter
Updating a graphics driver may sound contradictory to the previous potential fix. However, OBS Studio issues often arise because of outdated graphics drivers. If you don’t have an option to roll back your graphics card’s driver, try updating it instead.
Ourhow to update your graphics drives on Windowsarticle tells you about the different ways you can apply this potential solution.
6. Delete the OBS Studio Configuration Data Folder
Users have confirmed that erasing the OBS Studio data folder, or at least subfolders in it, can fix OBS not launching. The “Failed to initialize” OBS error message is one such launch issue users have fixed by applying this potential resolution. This is how you’re able to delete the OBS Studio data folder:
7. Disable Superfluous Background Apps and Services
Some third-party background apps competing for system resources can also potentially cause OBS Studio launch issues. Disabling such superfluous apps and services will maximize system resources for OBS Studio and ensure they can’t clash with that software in any way.
There are a few ways you may disable background apps, but the best way to do it for fixing OBS Studio is to apply a clean boot. This will disable all third-party apps and services from automatically starting with Windows. To apply this troubleshooting method, check out ourhow to perform a clean boot guide. Then restart Windows after setting a clean boot and try running OBS Studio.
If OBS Studio works after clean booting, something you disabled must have been causing the issue. OBS Studio will probably stop working again if you re-enable all the disabled startup apps and services at once. It’s better to gradually re-enable disabled startup items before every restart so you may better identify which one is causing the issue.
8. Reinstall the OBS Studio Software
Software reinstallation is a troubleshooting method that can potentially fix many OBS Studio launch issues. Reinstall OBS Studio if nothing else kick-starts the software. Aside from refreshing all the OBS Studio files, reinstalling will also ensure you’re utilizing the latest OBS version.
You can remove OBS Studio with standardmethods for uninstalling software on Windows. Open thisOBS Studio download pageafter you’ve uninstalled the software.
Click theWindowsbutton there to download the setup wizard for OBS Studio. Double-click theOBS-Studio-29.1.3-Full-Installer-x64.exefile in the folder it downloaded to start the setup wizard and select to install OBS from there.
Note that there’s also an alternative OBS Studio MS Store app you can try utilizing instead of the desktop software. Open thisOBS Studio pageand clickInstall>Open in Microsoft Storeto access an installation option for the UWP app. Then clickInstallin Microsoft Store to add the OBS UWP app to your PC.
Get Recording and Streaming With OBS Studio Again
So, don’t dump OBS Studio too quickly when you can’t open it on your Windows PC. At least try applying the troubleshooting methods for fixing OBS Studio not launching above. They’ll probably kick-start OBS Studio for most users who need to fix that software not opening.
